Agricultural Biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa - Capacity, Enabling Environment and Applications in Crops, Livestock, Forestry and Aquaculture

This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the application level for various agricultural biotechnologies across Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors examine the capacity available as well as the enabling environment, including policy and investments, for facilitating agricultural biotechnology development and use in the region. For each Sub-Saharan country, the status of biotechnology application is assessed in four major sectors; Crops, Livestock, Forestry and Aquaculture. Examples such as the number and requisite skill levels of trained personnel, biosafety frameworks and public awareness are surfaced in these chapters. This work also discusses the impact of push-pull factors on research, training and food security and identifies opportunities for investment in biotechnology and local agribusiness.

Development partners, policy makers, agricultural consultants as well as scientists and private sector investors with an interest in biotechnology initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa will find this collection an important account to identify key gaps in capacity and policy, as well as priority areas going forward. The volume highlights ways to develop technology and increase agricultural production capacity through international cooperation and inclusive economic growth, making it a valuable practice guide in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 2 Zero Hunger and SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. Clear case studies round off the reading experience.

John Edward Otieno (J.E.O.) Rege is founder and chief executive officer of Emerge Centre for Innovations - Africa (ECI-Africa), a not-for-profit organization that supports institutional development in the areas of agriculture and rural development. He has over 35 years' experience in agriculture, having worked in different capacities - as university trainer, CGIAR researcher and science leader. Ed holds a PhD in genetics, MS in animal science and BSc in agriculture. Prior to founding ECI-Africa, Ed was the director of the Global Biotechnology Program of the International Livestock Research Institute. 

Keith Sones is a freelance writer and editor, specialising in African agriculture and livestock disease, and works for both public and private sector organisations. Currently based in rural Oxfordshire, UK he lived in Nairobi, Kenya for 30 years, initially working for a major veterinary pharmaceutical company before becoming a freelance writer and editor, and workshop and conference organiser, facilitator and rapporteur mainly in the livestock sector. Keith holds a PhD in parasitology from Glasgow Veterinary School, Scotland.